The Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at the University of Oldenburg (HIFMB) and the Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg, Institute for Advanced Study (HWK), have created the artist-in-residence program “ArtWaves” for the duration of the UN Ocean Decade, offering annual fellowships.

HIFMB and HWK have established a joint annual artist-in-residence fellowship. The art projects within this scheme are intended to address aspects of marine biodiversity change and to promote public understanding and the transfer of knowledge in a changing world through art.

Main objectives are to develop new formats for the transfer of science into social and/or political debates and to build new networks to promote the visibility of marine biodiversity research. HIFMB aims for the most effective interaction and will create conditions for an inspiring and creative collegial dialogue between artists and researchers. HIFMB asks the artists to especially involve early career scientists and to explore with them ideas and ways of integrating new ways of thinking and working into their work.

ArtWaves has the ambition to support the transfer of scientific knowledge also to the science-policy interface where scientific knowledge finds its way into implementing and legislating policy solutions and application. By nurturing creativity and innovation, the program not only educates but also inspires action and awareness for ocean conservation and marine biodiversity research. This cooperation is closely linked to the United Nations Ocean Decade and officially endorsed as an Ocean Decade Action.

The call for applications for the fellowship in early 2025 is now open until the 15th of September 2024.